Draft device.



E. W. BURGESS.

DRAFT DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.30. 1914.

Patented. 0m. 3,1916.

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E. W. BURGESS.

DRAFT DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR30. I914.

Patented Oct. 3,1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Inve for fizz Fm, 3 1 g n {W ran .a'rnnr OFFICE,

EDWARD W. BURGESS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO INTERNATIONALHARVES'IER COMPANY OF NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

DIR-AFT DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 3, 1916.

Application filed April 30, 1914. Serial No. 835,368.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD W. BURGESS, acitizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cookand State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Draft Devices, of

which the following is a full, clear, and 6X-' 7 a seat supportingmember rigidly at-.

act specification.

My invention relates to improved draft devices whereby a series of grainharvesters or other implements may be connected to gether in tandemrelation and drawn forward by a single source of power, as by a tractionengine having a' draft connectionv with the front machine of the series,and

consists in providing improved draft con-.

nections between the different units of the series and between theseries and the traction power, and steering mechanism carried by each ofthe units that may be manipulated by an operator upon the machine in amanner to control the line of advance of one unit independent of theothers, whereby the units may be drawn in offset or trailing relation ina manner to cut a greater or less width of swath, or totrail in linewith each other.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved and simplifieddraft and steering device that may be controlled in a simple andpositive manner for the purpose described and manufactured at smallexpense, which device includes counterbalancing mechanism operativeagainst the tendency of frame of a grain harvester and a part of.

the grain platform sufficient to illustrate the manner of connecting andoperating the steering mechanism;.Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1;and Fig. 3 is a top'plan View on a reduced scale illustrating theoperation of the draft devices when applied to a series of harvestersoperating in tandem or offset relation.

Referring to the drawings, wherein the same reference numerals designatelike parts throughout the several views, 1 represents the harvestertraction wheel, 2 and 3 the front and rear members, respectively, of thewheel frame, 4 and 5 longitudinal members of the wheel frame at thestubbleward and gralnward side of the traction wheel, respectively, 6apart of the grain platform and representing the delivery end thereof,

tached to the members 2 and 3 in the usual and 1 1 a draft membersecured to the front side of the grain platform near the delivery endthereof, and spaced apart grainwardly from the member 13. The draftmembers 13 and 14 are provided with laterally disposed alined openingsthat receive coupling pins 15 whereby draft clevises 16 and 17 areconnected therewith in a manner permitting the clevis members to swingin a vertical plane when the harvester is tilted about the axis of thetraction wheel. The clevis members are provided with vertically disposedopenings in front of their pivotal connection with the draft members,and 18 and 19 represent upper and lower links, re-

spectively, having their rear ends pivotally connected with the clevismember 16 by means ofapin 20, and their front ends pivotally connectedwith the rear end of a steering tongue 21 by means of a verticallydisposed pin 22, and 23 represents a diagonally disposed draft memberhaving its rear upturned end pivotally connected with the clevis member17, and its front upturned end with the steering tongue 21.

24: represents a transversely disposed toggle bar having its grainwardend provided with an opening that receives the upturned rear end of thedraft member 23, and its opposite end with an opening that receives theupturned end of an adjusting link 25, and 26 represents a coactingtoggle bar having its grainward @116. provided with an opening thatreceives the upturned end of the link 25, and its opposite end with anopening that receives the pin 22, whereby the rear end of the steeringtongue 21 is flexibly connected with the draft clevis 17.

26 represents a transversely disposed rock shaft having its stubblewardend j ournaled in a bearing 27 carried by the elevator frame, and itsopposite end in a bearing integral with a toothed sector 28 secured tothe seat supporting member 7. The grainward end of the rock shaft hassecured thereto a hand lever 29, within convenient reach of an operatorin the seat, and pro vided with a common form of sliding detentmechanism 30 that cooperates with the sector in securing the lever inany desired position of adjustment, and 31 represents a depending arm atthe opposite end of the rock shaft, and preferably integral therewith,and pivotally connected with the rear end of the link 25, whereby theposition of the toggle bars 24 and 26 and steering tongue 21 may becontrolled by the manipu lation of the hand lever.

The series of machines are drawn by means of sections of cable 32,having eyes at their opposite ends whereby they are connected with thedraft member 13 by means of a supplemental draft member 33 securedthereto.

In operation the front end of the cable drawing the forward end of theseries of harvesters is connected with the draft power of a tractionengine (not shown), and its rear end with the draft member 33, and theremaining units are connected by means of the other sections of thecable, having their opposite ends connected with the draft member 33upon each unit, as shown in Fig. 3. The front end of the steering tongueis provided with a clevis 34: whereby it is connected with a transversebar 35 disposed in rear of the wheel frame and grain platform, andpreferably spaced apart therefrom rearwardly and having its oppositeends turned toward the front of the machine and secured to its framemembers, and 36 represents a truss member having one end secured to theseat supporting member 7 and its opposite end to the stubbleward endof'the bar 35. The steering tongue 21 is free to swing laterally uponthe bar 35 when adjusted in opposite directions, and the cable sections32 and steering tongue and its clevis connection 34 are so proportionedin length as to cause the cable sections alone to draw the series ofmachines forward, the steering tongue and other adjusting means beingoperative to control the path of advance of the several units.

In the operation of draft devices of the kind indicated, as heretoforeconstructed, it has been found that to adjust the steering mechanism ina direction to permit the machine to move grainward was relatively easy,because the tendency of the side draft of the machine was to move it inthat direction; but when it was desired to move the tongue in anopposite direction laterally to draw the machine stubbleward,aswhenturning a corner of the field, which required much power, the manuallyoperative means for that purpose was necessarily slow in its movement.To move said tongue and enable the operator to easily and quickly adjustthe steering mechanism in opposition to the side draft of the machine Iprovide a counterbalancing mechanism including a coiled tension spring37, having its rear end connected with the upturned end of the link 25and its opposite end with an I-bolt 38 that is longtudinally adjustablein a clip member 39 that is pivotally connected with the upturned end ofthe draft member 23, where by the tension of the spring may be regulatedas required for machines having variable widths of cut; and I alsoprovide other counter-balancing means that may be used either singly orsupplemental to the spring counterbalancing mechanism, comprising asheave 40 carried by the rear end of the steering tongue 21 andadjustable laterally relative thereto by being mounted upon thelaterally turned end of the link 18, that is provided with a series ofspaced openings to receive a stud 11, upon which the sheave 4:0 is journaled. The draft cable 32 is received by the sheave 40, and when thetongue is moved laterally about its pivotal connection with the draftmember 23 and link 18 in a direction permitting the harvester to movegrainward, the cable is warped grainward as shown by dotted lines inFig. 1. When it is desired to move the tongue in an opposite directionthe'draft force upon the cable assists the operator when he manipulatesthe hand lever to throw the toggle bars toward the position shown byfull lines in Fig. 1 and counterbalances the tendency of the side draftof the machine to carry the tongue in an opposite direction, and thesheave 40 may be adjusted laterally for the purpose of utilizing more orless of the draft force as it is required to counterbalance machineshaving variable widths of cut, or the difierent units of a series asthey are positioned in the trailing line, the draft force upon eachsection of the coupling being progressively less than from the front tothe rear machine of the series. The countel-balancing spring may beattached to the line or it may coact with the draft, or the draft linemay be utilized as the counterbalancing force.

Having shown and described a preferred structure embodying my invention,I do not wish that it be confined to the precise details of constructionas shown, it being understood that many minor cha ges may be made bothas to form and proportion of parts without departing from the spirit ofmy invention.

What I claim as being my invention, and desire to secure by LettersPatent, is:

1. In a tandem draft connection, a machine frame, a tongue pivotallyconnected therewith and movable bodily laterally relative to the line ofdraft, and means for moving said tongue bodily laterally relative to theline of draft.

2. In a tandem draft connection, a machine frame, a tongue pivotallyconnected to said frame and movable bodily laterally relative to theline of draft, and means for adjusting laterally the pivot of saidtongue as said tongue is moved laterally relative to the line of draft.

3. In a tandem draft connection, a machine frame, a steering tonguepivotally connected to said frame and movable laterally relative to theline of draft, means for adjusting said tongue laterally, a draft memberoperatively connecting said machine frame with a source of draft powerand engaging with said tongue adjacent its axis for returning saidtongue to its normal position.

4. In a tandem draft connection, a machine frame, a trailing unit, asteering tongue pivotally connected to said trailing unit and movablelaterally relative to the line of draft, means for adjusting laterallythe pivot of said tongue as said tongue is moved laterally, and aflexible draft member connecting said machine frame with said trailingunit and connected with said tongue adjacent its axis and movablelaterally with the pivot of said tongue.

5. In a tandem draft connection, a machine frame, a draft tonguepivotally connected with the front side of said frame in a mannerpermitting said tongue to swing laterally relative to the line of draftand to move longitudinally relative to said frame, and means forswinging said tongue laterally and moving the same longitudinally as itswings.

6. In a tandem draft connection, a machine frame, a tongue pivotallyconnected thereto and movable laterally relative to the line of draft, atoggle connection operatively connected between said tongue and frame,and means operable from said machine frame for adjusting said toggleconnection. v

7. In combination, a plurality of units, one disposed in front of theother, steering elements connecting said units, separate flexible draftconnections between said units, means operable from one of said units toadjust its steering element laterally in one direction, and meansconnecting said steering element with said flexible draft connection foradjusting said. steering element in an opposite direction as said unitsare moved forward in the field.

. 8. In combination, a plurality of machine units, one disposed in frontof the other, steering elements connecting said units, separate flexibledraft elements connecting said units, means operable from one of saidunits to adjust its steering element laterally, said flexible draftelement engaging with said steering element and moving said steeringelement in one direction as said units are moved forward in the field,and counterbalancing means cooperating with said steering elementadjusting means and the flexible draft member to move said steeringelement in the same direction.

9. In a tandem draft connection, a machine frame, a draft tonguepivotally connected with the front side of said frame in a mannerpermitting said tongue to swing laterally relative to the line of draft,a.

diagonally disposed draft member having its rear end pivotally connectedwith said frame and its front end pivotally connected with said drafttongue, and means for swinging said draft tongue about its connectionwith said diagonally disposed draft member.

' 10. In a tandem draft connection, a machine frame, a draft tonguepivotally connected with the front side of said frame in a mannerpermitting said tongue to swing laterally relative to the line of draft,the connection including a diagonally disposed draft member having itsrear end pivotally connected with said frame and its front end pivotallyconnected with said tongue, a swinging link connection between the rearend of said tongue and said frame, and means for swinging said tongueand link connection laterally.

11. In a tandem draft connection, a machine frame, a draft tonguepivotally connected with the front side of said frame in a mannerpermitting said tongue to swing laterally relative to the line of draft,and means for swinging said tongue laterally, said means including atoggle connection between the rear end of said tongue and a fixed partof the frame structure.

said tongue, and means for swinging said tongue laterally, said meansincluding a toggle bar connection between the rear end of said tongueand a fixed part of the frame 7 structure.

13. In a draft con e n, a

- 12. In a tandem draft connection, a ma-' chine frame, a draft tonguepivotally con- .nected with the front side of said machine frame, saidconnection including a swinging link pivotally connected with the' rearend of said tongue and said frame, a diagonally disposed draft memberhaving its rear end pivotally connected with said frame and its frontend pivotally connected with said tongue, a toggle bar connectionbetween the rear end of said tongue and a fixed part of the framestructure, and a hand lever carried by said machine frame andoperatively connected with said toggle bar connection whereby saidtongue may be turned laterally in opposite directions.

14. In combination, a plurality of ma chine units disposed one in frontof the other, draft connections between said units and between theforward unit and a source of draft power, steering elements connectedwith said units and cooperating with the draft power in a manner tomaintain said machine units at a predetermined angle relative to theline of draft, and means for adjusting said steering elements wherebythe operative angle of said machine units may be varied, said meansincluding a counterbalancing mechanism operative to yieldingly resist anadjusting movement thereof in one direction.

15. In a tandem draft connection, a machine frame, a draft tonguepivotally connected with said machine frame in a manner permitting saidtongue to swing laterally relative to the line of draft, operativeconnections between said frame and said tongue for swinging said tonguelaterally, and a counterbalancing spring mechanism connected with saidtongue adjusting mechanism and coacting therewith to swing said tonguein one direction.

16. In a tandem draft connection, a machine frame, a steering tonguepivotally connected with said machine frame in a manner permitting saidtongue to swing laterally relative to the line of draft, operativeconnections between said frame and said tongue for swinging said tonguelaterally, and a tension spring connecting the tongue swingingconnections with said tongue and coacting therewith to swing said tonguein one direction.

17. In a tandem draft connection, a machine frame, a tongue pivotallyconnected thereto and movable laterally relative to the line of draft, atoggle connection operatively connected between said frame and tongue,means operable from said machine frame for adjusting said toggleconnection, and counterbalancing means operatively connected betweensaid toggle and said tongue.

18. In a tandem draft connection, a machine frame, a tongue pivotallyconnected thereto and movable laterally relative to the line of draft, atoggle connection operatively connected between said frame and tongue,means operable from said machine frame for adjusting said toggleconnection, and resilient means operatively connected between saidtoggle and said tongue normally res1sting movement of the former in onedirection.

19. In a tandem draft connection, a machine frame, a draft tonguepivotally connected with the front side of said machine frame, saidconnection including a swinging link pivotally connecting the rear endof said tongue with said frame, a diagonally disposed draft memberhaving its rear end pivotally connected with said frame and its frontend pivotally connected with said tongue, a toggle bar connectionbetween the 'rear end of said tongue and a fixed part of the framestructure for actuating said toggle mechanism in opposite directionswhere-' by said tongue may be turned laterally, and a counterbalancingspring mechanism coacting with said toggle actuating mechanism.

20. In a. tandem draft connection, a machine frame, a draft tonguepivotally connected with the front side of said frame in a mannerpermitting it to swing laterally relative to the line of draft, saidconnection including a swinging link pivotally connecting the rear endof said tongue with said frame, a diagonally disposed draft memberhaving its rear end pivotally connected with said frame and its frontend pivotally connected with said tongue, a laterally disposed togglebar mechanism connecting the rear end of said tongue with said frame,mechanism carried by said frame and operative to actuate said toggle barmechanism in opposite directions whereby said tongue may be turnedlaterally, and a coiled counterbalancing tension spring having one endconnected with said toggle mechanism and its opposite end with saidtongue.

21. In a tandem draft connection, a series of machines, steering anddraft connections between said machines adapted to draw them in tandemand offset relation, said connections including a steering tongue havingits rear end pivotally connected with the front side of one machineframe in a manner permitting said tongue to swing laterally relative tothe line of draft and its front end carried by the rear side of aforward machine frame in a manner permitting said tongue to swing freelylaterally thereon, and flexible draft connections between the frontsides of said machine frames operative independent of said steeringtongue to draw said series of machines forward.

22. In a tandem draft connection, a series of machines, steering anddraft connections between said machines adapted to draw them in tandemand offset relation, said connections including a steering tongue havingits rear end pivotally connected with the front side of one ma hineframe in a manner permitting it to swing laterally relative to the lineof draft, means for adjusting said tongue laterally, the front end ofsaid tongue being carried by the rear side of the forward machine framein a manner permitting said tongue to swing freely laterally thereon,and flexible draft connections between the front sides of the series ofmachine frames operative independent of the steering tongue to draw theseries of machines forward and coacting with said adjusting meanswhereby the draft assists in swinging the tongue laterally in onedirection.

23. In atandem draft connection, a machine frame, a draft tonguepivotally connected with the front side ofsaid machine frame in a mannerto swing laterally relative to the line of draft, said connectionsincluding a swinging link pivotally connecting the rear end of saidtongue with said frame, a diagonally disposed draft member having itsrear end pivotally connected with said frame and its front end pivotallyconnected with said tongue, means for swinging said tongue laterally inopposite directions about its pivoted connection with said draft memberand said link, and a flexible draft member having its front endconnected with a source of power and its rear end with the front side ofsaid frame and engaging with the rear side of said tongue whereby thedraft force is utilized to counterbalance the steering mechanism.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature, in the presence of twowitnesses.

EDWARD W. BURGESS. Witnesses:

F. W. HoFFMEIsTER, C. M. OBERBEOK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, 1). G.

